Report page 25

In “A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013”, the FBI identified seven main location categories: commerce, education, government, health care, house of worship, open space, and residence.

These categories highlight environments most affected and inform prevention and response efforts.

| COMMERCE includes open and closed businesses like retail stores, restaurants, office space, and warehouses;

Commerce 4 14

| EDUCATION includes pre-K schools through institutions of higher learning (IHL);

| GOVERNMENT includes military and non-military properties such as military bases, government owned property and courthouses;

Open Space Government 3 6 7 12

| HEALTH CARE includes hospitals and clinics;

| HOUSE OF WORSHIP includes various religious sites such as churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples;

Education | 4 4

| OPEN SPACE includes outdoor public areas like streets and parks;

House of Worship 1 3

| RESIDENCE includes private homes and apartments.

In 2024 and 2025, active shooter incidents occurred in all categories except health care facilities and residences.

In 2025, 41% of incidents occurred in the commerce location category, compared to 17% in 2024. Among these 14 incidents, more than 75% occurred in businesses open to the public such as retail stores and restaurants.

Casualties by Location Category Killed (51) | Wounded (115)

Meanwhile, incidents occurring in the open space location category, which historically accounted for nearly half of active shooter incidents in recent years, dropped to 21% of the incidents in 2025.

Alternatively, government, education, and house of worship location categories accounted for only 38% of incidents in 2025 but resulted in more than half of all casualties.

Tracking data across location categories may help focus resources and strategies to prevent and respond to active shooter incidents.